This article's title is from Psalm 92:14,15: "They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."

As some Christians grow older, it seems that a change begins to take place. Some older folks appear to feel as though they have "earned" the right to lay down their swords and shields and retire from the front line, leaving the spiritual warfare to those who are younger and far less experienced. I am reminded of the time when the tribes of Reuben and Gad came to Moses and requested that they not have to cross the Jordan with the rest of Israel, but to be allowed to take possession of the lands before the Jordan. In Numbers 32:6, Moses responded, "Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here?"

Christians are still Christians, regardless of age, and they are still responsible and obligated to promote the cause of Christ. All Christians are duty-bound to "take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one." (Ephesians 6:16)

The life of Abraham, that great man of faith, exemplifies the fact that God requires active faithfulness as long as we live. Add to Abraham the examples of Moses, David, Elijah, Elisha, Peter, Paul, James, John, and countless others, and we see conclusively that God always requires active faith, regardless of age. In Matthew 10:21,22, Jesus said, "Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." Every Christian of every age needs to be active and at battle on the front line.

Sometimes we hear older Christians claim that the younger Christians are the future of the church. Then we hear the younger Christians claim that the older Christians were the church several years ago. So now we have the church's future and the church's past, but where is the church's present? Every Christian of every age is the church's present. I am reminded of what the aging Paul wrote to the young preacher Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:1-2. "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, to Timothy, my true child in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." So we see the old veteran and his young comrade working together to help expand the borders of Christ's kingdom.

I sometimes think that older Christians do not realize their tremendous value. In Proverbs 16:31, Solomon said, "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life." There is nothing more encouraging to me than witnessing an aged Christian pressing on, with all the vigor of youth, in his spiritual warfare.

There is a huge difference between the faith and zeal that comes through experience and that which comes through inexperience. Now what do I mean by that? Often, when young, inexperienced people are confronted with the gospel for the first time, their hearts are aflame with desire to obey. For just a moment, they fleetingly glimpse their Lord's love, mercy, and glory. It is almost as if they are unable to control their enthusiasm. Without really understanding what all is involved, they become Christians (Luke 14:26-33). There has been no in-depth study, no contemplation of what the future now holds, and little consideration of the changes that must now take place in their lives. These are those defined by the rocky soil of Matthew 13:20-21.

Not so with the older Christians who have continued faithfully and vigorously. These aged warriors possess countless scars that shine like badges of honor, scars earned in innumerable battles with the enemy. Those experienced soldiers were not able to deflect and extinguish every fiery dart the enemy fired at them. They have been pierced and bloodied; they have been shaken and terrified; they have lost their footing and sunk to their knees. But these determined combatants shook off their momentary weakness, staggered to their feet, and pressed on with greater zeal and determination than before. These "hoary-headed" fighters provide more encouragement and are more appreciated by every true young Christian than they will ever know.

Sometimes older Christians feel underappreciated and occasionally as though they are fading out as the younger generation takes control. It is a travesty when the experience and counsel of the tried and true Christians are disregarded because their hair is not as brown, black, or blond as it once was. It is an absolute shame when the wisdom of the aged Christian is ignored because the face is not quite as smooth as it once was. There is a reason why the Lord has designated that the elders of His church be men of experience (1 Timothy 3:6). There is a reason why the young Christians are to emulate those who are older (Titus 2:1-6). They are the grounded ones; they are the tried ones.

So older Christians, remember that you are blessed by God, and every battle you have faithfully fought against the evil one serves to place another star in your crown. You are a tremendous encouragement to me. Never forget your worth.

Brother Litmer has touched on a subject about which I've been talking and thinking for many years. Some older members of the church have told me: "I've done my work; it's time for the younger ones to take over." Where do the Scriptures give a "retirement age?" Yes, I understand that some older members cannot physically do what they once did; but does that mean they no longer have value to the church? Heaven forbids such thinking! Brethren, when the older members stop sharing the wisdom of age and experience with those who are younger, the church suffers. (KMG)